Author: Claire Hardy

This month let’s hear from our Community Liaison Officer, Margaret and her journey with MTW since 2019!

Margaret Osei is my name. A lead facilitator and Community Liaison Officer. Sharing my experience in
the past 5 years has really inspired me to do more as my inspirations can go further to inspire a greater
number of students, and the larger community.
Move the World from 2019 till now have impacted 14 schools in 5 communities through us as facilitators and team.
The engagement within these various communities have passed on through skill based learning specifically, global citizenship education which in the long term alters behaviours and minds of how they need to think. Outside the box!

The 17 Global Goals have a diverse approach which tackles all forms of growth and development in the world.

“My motto in life is, if you think it you can do it, and if we all apply that taught we can end world
hunger” – Dionne Warwick.

Running a session on Goal 2, I realized coming together as one people to change the world is easy to make and that is when everyone understands the goals and supports the vision.
Move the World, through our team, trains schools on the 17 Goals every year with experience facilitators
and continues to become the global mover of the goals. And also why our vision and mission remains the standard of our approach.

In Move the World, we move to change and the uniqueness of our work will always become a sustainable road in changing life and communities.
I am a facilitator and for this 5 past years I’m proud for making this impact and creating sustainable change.

In-Country Learning through Play Training
Venue: Bethel Heights Hotel, Madina
Accra -Ghana.
Dates: 11th -14th March, 2024

The Learning through Play training workshop, organised by Global Fund for Children in collaboration with Play Action International with support from Mother of All Nations, aims to empower teachers, facilitators, and organisations to prioritise fun and engaging learning experiences for children. By integrating play-based approaches, this workshop encourages educators to create dynamic and interactive learning environments.

Here are some key points from the workshop:

1. Child-Centered Approach: The workshop emphasizes a child-centered approach to education. It recognizes that play is not just a break from learning but an essential part of it.
2. There is no mistakes when children play: care givers are urged to allow children make mistakes. Mistakes are essential for growth and development. They are not failures but stepping stones toward understanding.
3. Play is a space where children can explore, experiment, and learn without fear of judgment. Mistakes are stepping stones to growth, resilience, and understanding once children are allowed to make mistakes and not being judged or threatened it fosters creativity.
4. Educational Play: The workshop equips caregivers and teachers with strategies to implement play-based approaches in teaching. When children engage in play, their learning becomes deep-seated and exploratory, leading to better retention of knowledge and understanding of concepts.
5. Telling is not teaching; listening is not learning. To truly engage every child’s understanding, we must go beyond mere words. Active participation is the key. When we involve children in doing, creating, and experiencing, their learning becomes meaningful and lasting. Encourage exploration, curiosity, and hands-on activities—that’s where true understanding blossoms.
6. Play not only make children happy, it enhances their physical development; gross and fine motor skills strengthens and improve endurance. Social development; collaborative play teaches cooperation, compromise, team work. Emotional development such as empathy and confidence are developed when children engage in play. Cognitive development; problem solving skills making difficult concepts easy to understand.

Caregivers were tipped on making the play learning process more fun.

1. All lessons should capture the 5 senses of the learning; auditory, touch, visual, taste and smell 
2. We tell kids what to do and not what not to do.
3. Rather than saying ‘okay, you’ve tried’ to an incorrect answer, care givers are encouraged to give clear feedback. Either correct or incorrect.
4. Learn to praise efforts and be specific at it. 
5. We make sure children get instruction before we move to the next step of instruction.
6. Train children to follow instructions
7. lesson s we provide should have learning aid
8. NO corporal punishment in play based learning
9. We should scan through the learners and redirect misbehaviours. A skilled teacher anticipates when learners might become distracted, rather than noticing it only after they are already distracted

Structured and non-structured play may share the same underlying purpose—fun—but they yield distinct benefits. Structured play, which is more goal-oriented, involves specific rules and directions. In contrast, non-structured play, also known as free play, allows children to explore their interests without adult interference or predetermined outcomes

While structured play has its merits, unstructured play offers a wealth of benefits for children’s physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being. So, let’s celebrate the magic of free play and encourage kids to explore, create, and learn naturally.

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Personal Learnings
We sent two members of staff to partake in the conference – Hawa & Sarah reflect on their experience and learnings

Hawa

1. Telling is not teaching, Listening is not learning……Get every child involved, let them do something. It’s the only way to truly engage every child’s understanding. 

2. ?Structured and Non-structured play has nothing to do with the classroom. It has everything to do with a learner and a facilitator. Play can happen anywhere.

3.Introducing play both in the classroom and at home is crucial. Children learn a great deal through play.

4. ?Teaching and learning aids are readily available in our surroundings, and they come at no cost. We can find them anywhere.

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Sarah 

• We cannot afford excuses when it comes to embracing play-based learning. Our mission is to break down barriers and cater to every child’s unique learning needs within the environment we inhabit. By fostering a play-based approach, we create a rich tapestry of discovery, curiosity, and growth. So, let’s weave together a vibrant learning experience where each child thrives!

• When children play, they encounter challenges, I need to try different approaches, and sometimes fail. These “mistakes” are opportunities for learning. This is why children don’t make mistakes in play.

• Structured and unstructured play transcend classroom walls. They are not confined to a specific setting; rather, they unfold wherever curious minds and eager hearts come together.

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In summary, this workshop encourages educators to embrace play as a powerful tool for learning, fostering creativity, problem-solving, language development, and social skills. By prioritising play, we can create joyful and effective learning experiences for children.
We look forward to bringing these learnings into our classrooms as we continue to move the world through education.

Did you know?

6th of March is a day of celebration to mark independence. In 1957, Kwame Nkrumah as the first president led the country into independence from the British; Ghana was the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to become independent.

February has been a busy month with a successful Fundraising Gala in partnership with Pearlstone Alternative leading straight back into a full force of 37 programmes across 14 schools throughout the Ga West District in Ghana.

And on top of that, we have been busy getting ready for our Ghana Independence Day celebrations which are coming up during the week of the 6th of March! (4th-10th of March)

To mark this special day we are running a week long celebration campaign.

We will be sharing videos from our team and partners on all our social media platforms and introducing you to our core team throughout the week.

To stay on theme we aim to raise £670 and are searching for a match donor who can help us double that!

  This will enable us to complete wave 1 of Get Global and Get Local that began in October 2023. 

251 students

4 schools

10 programmes

9 facilitators

We appreciate your support in making this happen and we’ll be sure to keep your brain buzzing with our mini history lessons throughout the week. 

Make sure you are signed up to our mailing list and follow us on our social media platforms!

We, alongside Pearlstone Alternative are so excited to host you at the beautiful Mandarin Oriental – Hyde Park Ballroom this Thursday, 8th February 2024!

Thank you for your support and get ready for an incredible evening filled with live music, casino tables and a whole lot more.

We are honoured to have the support of many companies and organisations for this years Fundraising Gala Auction.

Thanks to them, we have quite the selection of auction items for you!
So take a look and come ready to bid!

Tickets are still available for friends, family members and colleagues.
Ticket Link

See you soon and Medaase Paa

Every year to spread some cheer and bring our team together, we come together in various parts of the world and create our Christmas video. We have been doing this since 2015 and this year we have a very special treat – we think its one of the best so far.

Credit to the whole team including our amazing trustees and music credit to John Legend.

Hawa and Michael spent the week with JUMP! Foundation on their programme delivery at Al-Rayan International School in September 2023. Have a read on their reflections and learnings…

Leadership skills are not innate but can be nurtured and developed through effective programs.

At Al-Rayan International School, a week-long leadership program was held to equip students with the essential tools and knowledge to become successful leaders in the future. The program aimed to instil in students various qualities such as confidence, communication, teamwork, and critical thinking.

We had the opportunity through Move The World as lead facilitators to work with the JUMP! Foundation (the students created a new name for us: JOVE THE WORLD) to design a holistic learning experience for the participating students in Al-Rayan International School.

The program was divided into workshops, interactive sessions, group activities to ensuring a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and practices. With sessions focused on self-awareness and reflection. Students were encouraged to identify their strengths, weaknesses, and personal values. They were guided to reflect on their goals, aspirations, and the kind of leader they aspired to become. We must say, (Michael and Hawa) from designing programs (Intensive and educative) to training students on leadership and facilitation skills to help them in their upcoming conference was an eye opening experience!!

It was our first time (Michael and Hawa) being in an international school like Al-Rayan and getting very close to their students, what we experienced was far different from what we expected. Hearing “International School”, we admit that we were thinking we’d see “spoilt and not so cooperative”students, but we couldn’t be more wrong and we met students that were willing to learn, listen and share ideas.

One of the significant benefits of the program was the opportunity for students to establish relationships with peers from different backgrounds and cultures. The bonds formed during the program generated a diverse network of future leaders, fostering collaboration and the exchange of ideas beyond the program’s duration.

The success of the leadership program at Al-Rayan International School exemplifies a profound impact on a well-designed and executed program by JUMP! Foundation and Move the World to develop their inspiring stories served as motivation and guidance for the students to illustrate that leadership has no boundaries.

At Move The World, we explore mindfulness practices and their impact on our Sustainable Development Goal of promoting good health and well-being (Goal 3). As a facilitator, my aim was to introduce these young minds to the power of being present, attentive, and kind towards oneself and others.

During one of our sessions in a primary six class, we delved into various mindfulness exercises such as deep breathing, body scans, and gratitude practices. The students were initially curious but also a bit restless, as sitting still and quieting their minds seemed like a difficult task. However, with encouragement and patience, they gradually began to embrace the practices, discovering the benefits they had to offer.

Little did I know that the impact of these mindfulness sessions would extend beyond the classroom walls. One day, an argument erupted between a group of students after the school closed. It started off as a minor disagreement but quickly escalated into a full-blown conflict. Voices were raised, tempers flared, and the situation seemed to be spiraling out of control.

In the midst of the chaos, one student who had fully embraced the mindfulness practices we had learned stepped forward. With a calm demeanor and a compassionate heart, reminded everyone to take a step back, to pause, and to take a deep breathe.

The effect was almost magical. As if under a spell, the students heeded their peer’s advice and followed suit. They took deep breaths, allowing themselves a moment of stillness amidst the turmoil. As their minds quieted and clarity emerged, they realized the insignificance of the argument in light of their shared goals and friendship.
Using the mindfulness practices they had learned, the students were able to resolve the conflict peacefully and restore harmony among themselves.

As a facilitator, witnessing this transformation was truly heartwarming. It reinforced the power of mindfulness practices in promoting good health and well-being, both individually and collectively. These primary six students demonstrated that mindfulness is not just a concept to be discussed in theory but a practical tool that can be applied in everyday life.

The impact of mindfulness practices on Goal 3 of Sustainable Development was appreciated in this class. Through a single intervention, a student stopped a potentially violent situation, fostering understanding, empathy, and peace. This serves as a reminder that practicing mindfulness not only benefits oneself but also has the potential to positively influence the world around us.

We have been incredibly fortunate over the years to gain support from people around the world and from various expertise.

So many companies now offer volunteering days and we would love to chat with you on how you can support us this coming year.

A few options to tell your company about are Matchable and Benevity. We have had volunteers and consultants from both and the best thing is its limited time – but of course you’re welcome to stay for longer and help us grow and expand!

The biggest thing you can do to support us is share the word but we love when our supporters have ideas for us and can bring them to life.
If you notice something on our website, social media or communications you think we could use an update in – get in touch! Let’s learn together.

If you think you can support with event planning or setting up a challenge to fundraise- get in touch!

We appreciate you, we value your support and commitment and we love to grow alongside you. 

If you’re interested in giving some of your time email Claire – hello@movetheworld.co 

Medaase paa